JDS Kashima sails up the River Thames for London visit

Rob Powell Navy, News

Japanese navy ship Kashima sailed up the River Thames yesterday for a three day visit to the capital. The 143-metre long vessel is the training ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) and arrived through Tower Bridge shortly after 1pm to moor alongside HMS Belfast. Her arrival in London is the latest port visit for the ship which is …

Up to 50 hot air balloons glide over the Thames at sunrise

Rob Powell Events, News

ALMOST fifty hot air balloons took to the skies this morning to form an incredible sight over the capital. The fleet of balloons took off from Burgess Park just after sunrise and drifted across the river Thames. Early risers were treated to the stunning spectacle as the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta filled the morning sky. The flotilla of craft glided east …

2016 starts with beautiful Thames sunrise

Rob Powell Bridges, Weather

2016 got off to an impressive start when a dramatic red sky appeared across the capital on Friday morning. With the new year just hours old, early risers and those still on their way home were able to enjoy a beautiful sight over London. Hues of red, orange and yellow were painted across the sky in the thirty minutes or so …

Thames salute to the Queen’s long reign

Staff Writer Events, Heritage vessels, Rowing

THE RIVER Thames paid its own tribute to HM The Queen as she became the country’s longest serving monarch last week (9th September). Tower Bridge opened in salute as a small flotilla led by Queen’s row barge Gloriana made its up up the Thames from St Katherine Docks to the Houses of Parliament. HMS Portland was alongside HMS Belfast, adding to …

ARC Gloria’s spectacular arrival through Tower Bridge

Rob Powell Tall Ships

THE COLOMBIAN sail training ship ARC Gloria arrived through Tower Bridge in spectacular style last Sunday (6th September). With over 60 crew members manning the yard arms and singing the Colombian national anthem, the three masted ship went under Tower Bridge in late evening sunshine. The bridge itself and the banks of the Thames were packed with spectators for the …

Intrepid Elk pictured at Tower Bridge

Staff Writer Sailing

CATAMARAN Intrepid Elk paid a visit to London in July and is pictured below as she departed the capital. The Outremer catamaran 51, which takes her name from her owners Robert and Revle Elk, had been moored in St Katherine Docks for her stay in London. After dropping a passenger off at Queenborough, the Intrepid Elk continued on to Holland …

Portwey steams past London landmarks

Rob Powell Heritage vessels

Heritage steam tug Portwey delighted onlookers today as she took to the river with passengers on board. The 1920s built vessel is doing three days of scenic Thames trips, taking passengers from Masthouse Pier up to Tower Bridge, then back down to the Thames Barrier before turning to Masthouse. The beautiful tug, built by Harland and Wolff on the Clyde, …

New Waterloo Dispatch arrives in London

Rob Powell Events

TWO hundred years after news of the victory at Waterloo reached London, a New Waterloo Dispatch arrived in the capital today to retrace those steps. Historical re-enactors brought the news of Napoleon’s defeat in to London today, starting the morning with a ceremony at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. From there, a horse-drawn post chaise, carrying the dispatch …